![[What's TEM]](images/whatstem.gif)
Most of our members are men who have families, drive to work each day, have bills to pay, lawns to mow, walks to shovel and houses to clean. We have members in five states. We could easily be one of your neighbors.
Tau Epsilon Mu was chartered as a Tri-Ess chapter on July 15, 2000. There were 16 at the first meeting, held in a hotel room in Eagan, Minnesota. The Tri-Ess presence in Minnesota had been earlier established by another chapter, Beta Gamma. Beta Gamma was dissolved in mid-2000, TEM seeks to build on the groundwork laid by that chapter and expand on its accomplishments.
Tau Epsilon Mu is an affiliate of Tri-Ess International, an association of heterosexual crossdressers and their families and seeks to support them and educate them and the community in which we live about crossdressing. The Tri-Ess philosophy can be best understood using the acronym FIBER, courtesy of our national chair, Jane Ellen Fairfax.
F |
- | Full personality expression in both its masculine and its feminine aspects. We do not wish to destroy our masculinity, but to soften its harsher aspects, and be all we can be. |
I |
- | Integration of masculinity and femininity to create a happier whole person. |
B |
- | Balance between masculinity and femininity. |
E |
- | Education of crossdressers and their families toward self-acceptance; education of society toward accepting crossdressing people. |
R |
- | Relationship-building in the context of crossdressing. |
Each month we meet several times. We gather once for our business meeting, at which we usually have a pot luck supper and a presenter. These presenters can be specialists in presentation, psychologists, clergy, police, legal counsel, community activists, or any other people who we think may have something to contribute to our understanding. Some of us also get together socially in an accepting venue, such as the theatre, restaurants, museums or other public venues. Some of our families get together for non-crossdressed functions. We occasionally meet with other gender groups in the Twin Cities for joint activities.
Additionally, some of our members engage in outreach to the community, whether to schools, therapist's associations or other professional organizations. Some engage in outreach just by going out and expressing their second self.
If you or a loved one are a crossdresser, we would invite you to join us. Please click on "Contacts" and we will be in touch, in a discrete and private way.
The name of this organization shall be: Tau Epsilon Mu hereafter referred to as TEM or Tri-Ess Minnesota, an affiliate of The Society for the Second Self, Inc., hereafter referred to as Tri-Ess.
TEM is a non-profit, volunteer, educational, outreach organization.
TEM is an affiliate of Tri-Ess. TEM may, with the consent of a majority of the board members voting, participate in communications with, and the mutual support systems of, other groups or organizations, which support, or promote the free expression of gender, but may not become bound by the by-laws or policies of any group other than Tri-Ess.
The purpose of TEM is to act as a non-sexual support group for heterosexual crossdressers, spouses and life partners of crossdressers, and their families. Toward this end, it will:
General Provisions
Full voting members
Minor children shall be considered special guests of TEM Chapter. Their rights to attend all chapter meetings shall not be abridged or denied. Attendance by minor children at TEM functions is a family issue and it is required that children attend only with the approval of both parents and/or legal guardians. All minors attending meetings must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Annual Dues
Activity Fees
Special Assessments
Hardships
1) The chapter may not provide alcoholic beverages at its functions. Members may bring their own alcoholic beverages for their personal consumption in moderation. The consumption of alcohol at board or during the business portion of monthly meetings is prohibited. The use of illegal drugs at TEM function is prohibited. Members are responsible for their own behavior. Intoxicated members may be asked to leave chapter meetings and continued abuse may lead to expulsion from the chapter.
2) The possession or use of weapons by attendees at chapter functions is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated, except by licensed peace officers required to do so by their employer.
3) The TEM Board of Directors shall meet on the same day as the regularly scheduled chapter meeting, before the regularly scheduled Chapter Meeting. The TEM Board of Directors Meetings shall be open, except for discussion of items related to hardship or security issues. Minutes of all board proceedings shall be made. They shall also be published, except for discussion of items related to hardship or security issues.
§ If two or more people volunteer for the same position, the Chapter shall elect one by majority vote, holding a run-off if necessary to ensure a majority. If a run off should prove necessary, it shall be held between the two candidates receiving the most votes. Ballots for this election will be mailed with the December newsletter and this election will occur at the December meeting.
1) Direct its members to be in attendance at most board meetings.
2) Appoint committees and/or delegates to perform tasks for the fulfillment of Board responsibilities. The First Lady shall serve as ex-officio member of all committees.
3) Make recommendations for action to the members of the chapter, to be voted upon by the members of the chapter.
4) Ensure that any material that may prove to be controversial be submitted to the Board of Directors of Tri-Ess for approval prior to distribution.
5) The Board shall be responsible to the voting members of TEM and to the governing body of Tri-Ess.
FIRST LADY
The First Lady shall be elected by the general membership at the November meeting. The First Lady shall preside over business and social meetings of Tau Epsilon Mu and manage emergency concerns when a Board meeting is impractical. She may appoint committees for any purpose and shall serve as an ex-officio member of same. She shall act as official spokesperson of Tau Epsilon Mu and represent it to the public and National Sorority as appropriate.
Specific duties include:
1) Serve as the liaison contact with Tri-Ess National and other Tri-Ess chapters.
2) Foster mission and goals of Tau Epsilon Mu and as defined in these By-Laws
3) Serve as mediator of disputes and sergeant-at-arms as such occasions warrant action.
4) Oversee all Tau Epsilon Mu operations.
5) Should a seat of a Director become vacant, for any reason, prior to the end of the current term the First Lady will appoint a replacement board member and get her appointments voted on by the board at the next board meeting.
6) The First Lady may call special board meetings at any time, provided that there is a quorum present, the meetings shall be open to the general membership and announced five days earlier on the listserve.
SECOND LADY / FINANCIAL OFFICER
This officer will act as First Lady in the event the First Lady is incapacitated or unable to perform her duties. Specific responsibilities include, but not limited to, the following:
GENERAL DUTIES
1) Conducting the annual membership renewal drive.
2) Obtaining locations for special events i.e. Holiday and Cotillion
3) Approving monthly activities and special events, including procurement of vendors who provide appropriate services of interest to the general membership.
4) Providing budgeting for upcoming events. Communicating all Tau Epsilon Mu business, upon approval of the First Lady, to Tri-Ess National, including but not limited to, membership roosters, financial data and any other documents and information as directed by the First Lady.
AUDITING AND FINANCIAL
1) Reimbursing expenses incurred by officers for normal operating expenses associated with their positions. Procuring the appropriate receipts and documentation of expenses from said individuals prior to reimbursement.
2) Designating a Member-at-Large for the collection of meeting activity fees and chapter dues.
3) As necessary, consulting with Tri-Ess National, to verify members in good standing for the purposes of facilitating Tau Epsilon Mu membership issuance / renewals.
4) Provide timely financial reports for the Board of Officers.
5) Providing for publication in the Tau Epsilon Mu News and for review by the general membership, a P&L summary.
6) Advising the First Lady of any misuse of funds, budget overages or other issues that could place Tau Epsilon Mu in a deficit situation.
7) Maintaining a mirrored copy and updating of the Tau Epsilon Mu membership roster with the Membership Chairwomen.
The responsibility of this officer shall be:
1) Will answer and screen all inquires from the chapter’s voice mail, Internet site, emails National Tri-Ess and any other source of inquiry.
2) Provide a written log of all inquires and phone message to the First Lady and Second Lady
3) Send chapter “inquiry packages” to all persons who inquire and pass the initial screening.
4) Provide all new members with a copy of the bylaws and the all policies.
5) Presenting information, as outlined in these By-Laws. To individuals, who qualify for Tau Epsilon Mu and Tri-Ess and are interested in applying for membership.
6) Maintaining a mirrored copy and updating of the Tau Epsilon Mu membership roster with the Second Lady of the Chapter.
7) Add new members; once voted on by the board to Tau Epsilon Mu’s listserve and inform Newsletter Editor include the new member to the newsletter mailing list.
Outreach Coordinator
The responsibility of this officer shall be:
1) To provide backup and assist the Membership Director with Presenting information, as outlined in these By-Laws. To individuals, who qualify for Tau Epsilon Mu and Tri-Ess and are interested in applying for membership
2) Coordinating and facilitating all community outreach activities including, but not limited to, classified advertising, outreach presentations, contact with universities and colleges and speakers’ bureaus.
3) Assist the Spouses, Partners’ and Families support Coordinator in sustaining a Big Sister Response network designed to provide appropriate information regarding the goals and services of Tau Epsilon Mu and Tri-Ess.
The Meeting Coordinator shall:
1) Ensure that the meeting place is open and setup and is also responsible for the condition of condition of the meeting place after the meeting.
2) Plan and arrange all programs and presentation at the regulator chapter meeting.
3) Inform the newsletter editor of presentation at the next monthly meeting so it can be put in the monthly newsletter.
4) She shall be responsible for Tau Epsilon Mu’s Library material and bring them to each chapter meeting.
5) The Meeting Coordinator is responsible for supplying paper plates, napkins, plastic silverware and soda. Costs of these items are reimbursable.
6) She will maintain the Id badges and get updates from the Membership Coordinator. .
7) She will ask for volunteers to bring the main course for potluck buffet for the general membership meetings, and post the information to the listserve.
1) Represent the interest of spouses, partners and families on the board.
2) Develop and maintain all partners, couples and family outreach programs, like Family and Friends.
3) She shall be the liaison to National Tri-Ess S.P.I.C.E organization.
4) Assist the Outreach Coordinator in sustaining a Big Sister Response network designed to provide appropriate information regarding the goals and services of Tau Epsilon Mu and Tri-Ess.
TAU EPSILON MU NEWSLETTER EDITOR
The responsibility of this officer shall include overseeing the publication of the Tau Epsilon Mu News. Her duties are specifically editing, format development and publishing the Tau Epsilon Mu News newsletter as follows:
1)Procuring articles of interest from the general membership of Tau Epsilon Mu.
2) Reviewing to assure that the content of said articles is appropriate within the guidelines of both Tau Epsilon Mu and Tri-Ess goals (as defined in these By-Laws).
3)Bringing any objectionable content submitted to the attention of the President.
4) Electronic Mailing and hard copies to members that prefer a hard copy of the Tau Epsilon Mu News to the general membership at least one week prior to each meeting weekend. Sending copies to National, and other Tri Ess Chapters that request it.
5) Assisting the Vice President with the placement and promotion of upcoming events (flyers and other PR) in the Tau Epsilon Mu News.
6) Providing and managing all budgeting for producing and mailing the Tau Epsilon Mu News.
7) The newsletter editor shall provide backup for the Secretary incase she cannot perform her duties.
The responsibility of this officer shall include the development, updating and maintenance of the Tau Epsilon Mu Web Site as follows:
1) Development, maintenance of the Web Site as well as posting updated Tau Epsilon Mu meetings, events and chapter information
2) Maintain Tau Epsilon Mu’s listserve and emailing lists and provide other officers, such as Membership and Newsletter Editor with the ability to add and remove names from the listserve and email lists.
3) Provide the First Lady with copies of all passwords and Administrative information.
4) She will also be responsibility for training the Second Lady as a backup incase the Web Director can perform her duties.
TAU EPSILON MU SECRETARY
The responsibility of this officer shall include:
1) Prepare minutes of the monthly meeting for publication in the Chapter newsletter. In the event that the Recording Secretary cannot attend a meeting the First Lady shall delegate this responsibility to another chapter member for that meeting.
2) The Secretary must ensure that detailed minutes are kept of all board and general meetings, with the exception of business regarding hardship determinations.
3) The Secretary shall provide backup for the Newsletter Editor incase she cannot perform her duties.
Conduct of Business
1) Vacancies on the Board:
2) Should the seat of a Director become vacant, for any reason, prior to the end of the current term, the Board shall appoint an interim Director, to serve until the end of the term, with the advice and consent of the Board, or until the elected Director returns to office, whichever comes first.
3) Tenure/Removal of Board Members
4) Tenure of Board Members shall be for one (1) year. No board member may serve more than three (3) consecutive terms in the same office.
5) At its discretion, the Board may appoint an assistant(s) to any board member.
6) If a board member is unable to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of his/her board position, she/he will be expected to resign his/her office. In the case of misconduct and/or malfeasance, a board member may be removed by a vote of 5 members of the board and a 2/3rd's majority of members and must be given the opportunity to examine written charges and respond to them.
1) The social year of TEM shall be from January 1 through December 31 of the calendar year.
2) The business or fiscal year of TEM shall be from January 1 through December 31 of the calendar year.
1) Elections and referenda shall be decided by a simple majority vote of the members voting.
2) The eligible voting members shall decide membership admission codes, conduct, security, financial assessments and other matters having an impact on the membership provided such matters are consistent with these bylaws.
3) The conduct of all business meetings shall follow the current edition of 21st Century Robert's Rules of Order, unless otherwise stated in these bylaws and policies.
1. All voting members must be advised in writing of any proposed amendments a minimum of twenty days prior to the November meeting.
2. Each amendment to be made must be voted on independently.
3. Members may vote on amendments in person or by mail, but voting shall be conducted during the business portion of the November chapter meeting by secret ballot and tabulated by the Presider and another person as determined by members present.
4. A two-thirds majority vote of all members voting shall be required for any amendment to pass.
5. Typographical or grammatical corrections should not be considered as amendments.
1. Require 2/3's of all the members eligible to vote, either in person or by mail.
2. Shall constitute a withdrawal from membership in Tri-Ess and require immediate notification be given to that organization.